Not Everything’s About You
505 Words
It was supposed to be a normal Thursday.
Arabelle had almost gotten through the day without a panic attack, without thinking about the growing weight inside her, without glancing at Aiden and Brielle too much.
Almost.
Until she laughed.
And he heard it.
---
She was by her locker — talking to Jake.
Just… talking.
Jake was harmless. He sat behind her in Biology, shared his notes, smiled like a gentleman.
Today he complimented her scarf.
She smiled.
She laughed.
And that’s all it took.
---
> “What the f**k is this?”
Aiden’s voice cut through the hallway like a blade.
Jake looked up. “Just talking, man.”
> “No one asked you.”
Arabelle’s smile disappeared.
> “Back off, Aiden.”
He stepped closer.
> “You’re laughing now? Since when do you smile at people who aren’t me?”
> “Since when do I owe you anything?”
> “You don’t,” he snapped. “But don’t act brand new, nerd. You’re not suddenly cute because you laughed once.”
> “And you’re not my boyfriend,” she hissed.
That hit.
Aiden’s jaw clenched.
> “Who said I wanted to be?”
Her eyes narrowed.
> “You didn’t have to say it. You act like it.”
---
Jake raised his hands, backing off. “I’m gonna leave before I get murdered.”
He walked away.
And now it was just the two of them.
Again.
---
> “You’re jealous,” she whispered.
> “Of that?” Aiden scoffed. “Please.”
But his eyes were dark. His fists clenched.
He wasn’t used to seeing her smile for anyone else.
Especially not someone safe.
> “He’s not your type,” Aiden growled.
> “And what is my type? You?”
She laughed bitterly.
> “Guys who ruin me, leave me crying, then flirt with someone prettier?”
> “Watch your mouth, Arabelle.”
> “Why? You’re too busy shoving your tongue down Brielle’s throat to care what I say.”
> “That’s none of your damn business.”
She stepped forward, eyes glassy but defiant.
> “And this—my life—isn’t any of yours.”
> “The hell it isn’t.”
> “Oh really?” she whispered. “Then where were you when I cried myself to sleep every night? When I threw up in the bathroom alone? When I counted weeks on a calendar?”
Aiden froze.
She hadn’t said it outright.
But it was there.
The crack in the surface.
And it scared him.
---
He took a step back.
> “If you’ve got something to say, say it.”
> “I already did,” she said, voice cold. “You just weren’t listening.”
And this time, she walked away first.
Leaving Aiden alone.
And burning.
Not with guilt.
But rage.
Because she wasn’t his anymore.
And he didn’t like that.
Not one damn bit.
- Writer
